The Shadow Squad: Who really picks Ghanas Black Stars?

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June 3, 2026

Queiroz brings extensive World Cup experience to the role, having previously managed at four editions of the tournament. The Black Stars are going to face tough competition in the group stage as they will take on Panama, England and Croatia. Governed by the Ghana Football Association (GFA), the Black Stars are one of Africa’s most successful and celebrated teams.

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With 51 goals for Ghana, Gyan remains the nation’s most prolific scorer, having represented the Black Stars across three FIFA World Cups and etched his name permanently into football history. The Ghana Rugby Football Union (GRFU) has organised an inclusive rugby competition that brought together deaf and hearing athletes at the University of Ghana Rugby Stadium in Legon, Accra. Thomas Partey currently holds this position with $36.4 million net worth from his Premier League career and African business investments. His former £200,000 weekly Arsenal salary established him as Ghana’s highest-earning active player.

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That consistency restored confidence after missing the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. However, countries with stronger records in previous competitions and against tougher opposition have remained ahead of Ghana in the rankings. Ghana find themselves in Pot 4 ahead of the 2026 World Cup draw, a position that reflects their current standing in global football. Wales, meanwhile, are using the game as an opportunity to continue building under coach Craig Bellamy despite missing out on qualification for the World Cup.

To the GFA’s credit, they have gone to considerable lengths to explain the current process.
His appointment is likely to raise expectations among Ghanaian fans, who will hope his experience can translate into a strong showing at the tournament.
Dreams FC regularly promotes academy graduates to its senior team competing in the Ghana Premier League.
When the match starts, you will be able to follow Malawi vs Ghana live score, standings, minute by minute updated live results and match statistics.
On average, tuition and training fees range between ₵5,000 to ₵50,000 per year in 2025.
Ghana’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup boasts a strong core of players who played key roles during the country’s successful qualification campaign, with captain Jordan Ayew and…
Sofascore tracks live football scores and Ghana Premier League table, results, statistics and top scorers.
The Ghana coach explained that managing player fitness and mental freshness had become a key part of international football, particularly ahead of a major tournament.
If you’re serious about developing your football career, choosing the right academy is a big step toward achieving your dream.

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Black Stars legend Michael Essien also encouraged young players and their families to embrace the opportunities available through the programme. Founder of Coachhene Sports Club, Emmanuel Afranie Jnr, described the initiative as a major milestone in strengthening pathways for young Ghanaian players in the diaspora. With more than 200 attendees present, the programme brought together parents, young footballers, academy representatives, and key stakeholders connected to Ghana football in what proved to be an inspiring and forward-looking session. In 2010, Ghana narrowly missed making it to the FIFA World Cup semifinals before losing to Uruguay in one of the most thrilling games in the competition’s history.

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Many of Africa’s finest footballers, such as Michael Essien, Asamoah Gyan, and Thomas Partey, began their journeys in football academies that helped them develop their skills and discipline. According to him, many talented young footballers across the country possess enormous potential but lack the necessary support systems and opportunities needed to fully develop their abilities. The competition forms part of the Union’s broader efforts to make rugby accessible to all, while supporting athlete development, safety and equal opportunities in sport. The Ghana Rugby Football Union said it intends to work with national and international partners to expand programmes for deaf athletes and promote greater inclusion in rugby across the country. The event began with a coaching session led by World Rugby Coach Educator and President of the Ghana Rugby Football Union, Rafatu Inusah.

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“When it comes to world football, England are up there, but as a Ghanaian, I have to root for my boys. “We deserve to qualify for the World Cup in terms of how we played in the qualifiers. But in the AFCON qualifiers, it was a big disaster, we didn’t play that much to our level. “When you watch our World Cup games and then the AFCON qualifiers, there was a huge difference. There were a lot of criticisms around after failing to qualify for AFCON but the World Cup is huge. “He did great for Bournemouth and he had a deserving transfer to Manchester City. He’s continuing doing what he does best with goalscoring. Semenyo joined Manchester City in January from Bournemouth, having scored 10 Premier League goals with three assists for the Cherries in the first half of the season. “Some countries didn’t even respect FIFA’s mandatory period and scheduled cup finals until May 29. This is the modern game.”

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In their subsequent two competitions, in 2014 and 2022, the Black Stars have failed to go past the competition’s group stage. Painful omissions such as Paintsil, Ashimeru and Köhn are not technically final yet. It is a convenient posture that extends the uncertainty while managing the news cycle. Jordan Ayew is expected to captain Ghana, while Thomas Partey, Inaki Williams, Antoine Semenyo, Ernest Nuamah and Christopher Bonsu Baah are among the players pushing for starting places. “We want to play great football, we want to play to win and bring joy to our fans,” he said. Ghana fixtures tab is showing the last 100 football matches with statistics and win/draw/lose icons.

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The Portuguese coach declined to discuss the identity of Djiku’s replacement but made it clear that the squad had already been adjusted following the defender’s withdrawal. “We have to make a decision and replace Alexander Djiku. It doesn’t matter who was the player that I called, Djiku was replaced,” Queiroz said. Ghana coach Carlos Queiroz has confirmed that defender Alexander Djiku will miss the 2026 FIFA World Cup due to injury, ending speculation over the availability of one of the Black Stars’ most experienced defenders.

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To the GFA’s credit, they have gone to considerable lengths to explain the current process.
When the match starts, you will be able to follow Malawi vs Ghana live score, standings, minute by minute updated live results and match statistics.
“Our vision is to build strong national teams for the future by identifying the best Ghanaian talents wherever they may be in the world.
“People back home have questions about his performance when it comes to the national team, but as a former player and a striker, I have to be in his shoes.
His Shanghai SIPG contract paid £227,000 weekly, making him one of Africa’s highest-paid players during Asia’s football investment boom.
Sofascore tracks live football scores and Ghana Premier League table, results, statistics and top scorers.
On average, tuition and training fees range between ₵5,000 to ₵50,000 per year in 2025.
Dreams FC regularly promotes academy graduates to its senior team competing in the Ghana Premier League.
Virtually every major footballing nation calls up exactly the players they intend to take to the tournament for their final pre-tournament warm-up, sometimes with one or two additional cover options.
His appointment is likely to raise expectations among Ghanaian fans, who will hope his experience can translate into a strong showing at the tournament.
“We deserve to qualify for the World Cup in terms of how we played in the qualifiers. But in the AFCON qualifiers, it was a big disaster, we didn’t play that much to our level.
The Ghana Football Association (GFA) confirmed the appointment on Monday, with Queiroz tasked with leading the four-time African champions into the expanded global tournament set to be hosted in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
But the squad did ‌see a return after a three-year absence for 31-year-old Baba Abdul Rahman.
That consistency restored confidence after missing the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.
If you’re serious about developing your football career, choosing the right academy is a big step toward achieving your dream.
An interpreter was also present throughout the event to facilitate communication among players, coaches and officials.

There are also all Ghana scheduled matches that they are going to play in the future. When the match starts, you will be able to follow Malawi vs Ghana live score, standings, minute by minute updated live results and match statistics. The confirmation comes as a major blow for Ghana, with Djiku having been expected to play a key role at the World Cup thanks to his experience and leadership at the back. Speaking after Ghana’s latest training session in Cardiff, Queiroz revealed that Djiku had already been replaced in the squad as preparations continue for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico. Black Stars coach Carlos Queiroz has revealed that Ghana only had their full squad available on the eve of Tuesday’s friendly against Wales, describing the situation as one of the…

AFCON and World Cup campaigns offer substantial bonus structures, with qualification and progression bonuses reaching six figures for deep tournament runs. “The level of talent and professionalism we witnessed here was very encouraging. These young players are developing in some of the best academies in the world, and initiatives like this allow us to engage them early and monitor their progress closely,” Prof. Mintah noted. Founder of Coach Hene Sporting Club, Emmanuel Afranie, described the programme as an important step in reconnecting talented young players of Ghanaian heritage with the national setup. Latest news on the Ghana National Football Team, including team selections, fixtures, results and coverage of their progression within international tournaments.

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Being in the lowest pot guarantees that Ghana will face a top team from Pot 1, either a co-host nation or one of the world’s strongest sides. They will avoid another African opponent in the group due to confederation rules, but strong challengers from Europe, South America and Asia remain likely. The seeding increases the need for fast adaptation once the group is revealed. The Black Stars lost only once in qualifying, sealing their fifth World Cup appearance.

“They only started arriving because of club games until May 25. They needed rest, three, four, five days depending on minutes and intensity.” For Ghana, the fixture comes at an important stage of their World Cup preparations. Queiroz is still settling into his role after taking charge in April and has had limited time to work with the full squad. The match offers Black Stars coach Carlos Queiroz another chance to assess his squad ahead of the tournament in North America, where Ghana will face Panama, England and Croatia in Group L.

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But it is symptomatic of a broader culture in which the GFA manages its own exposure rather than prioritising clarity for fans and respect for players. Players left out need a clear explanation as to why they have been left out, so does every supporter who has spent a week debating a squad that is not yet technically final. If the 28-man list is functionally the World Cup squad with only two spots to be resolved, why name 28 at all? The 28-man list announced on May 25 is not, strictly speaking, the final World Cup squad. Ghana are due to announce their official 26-man squad on June 1, a day before the friendly against Wales in Cardiff on June 2.

Ghana name 26-man squad for FIFA World Cup 2026 ft. Antoine Semenyo

The engagement session served as the curtain raiser for the Ghana talent identification programme, with Category One academy assessments scheduled to continue on Thursday. After earning a bachelor’s degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level.

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Her Excellency Sabah Zita Benson praised the unity and enthusiasm shown throughout the event and reaffirmed the High Commission’s support for the initiative. The event was expertly moderated by respected BBC presenter and Communications Director of Coachhene Sports Club, George Addo Jnr, whose leadership helped guide meaningful conversations around talent development, identity, and opportunity. Sign up for a FREE NewsNow account and get our email alert of the day’s top stories from the UK and around the world. Latest Ghana football news, including the latest updates on the Ghana Premier League, Ghana FA Cup, Ghana Super Cup, the CAF Champions League and much more. Even though he is the oldest player in the current generation, he is still a dependable source of motivation. Antoine Semenyo, an attacker for Manchester City, will supply firepower up top.

It is a convenient posture that extends the uncertainty while managing the news cycle.
The Portuguese coach said player welfare had been prioritised after many squad members arrived in camp following the conclusion of their club commitments across Europe.
His former £200,000 weekly Arsenal salary established him as Ghana’s highest-earning active player.
If you’re looking for the complete list of top football academies in Ghana and their fees (2025), this detailed guide explains everything you need to know.
Kudus’ £150,000 weekly Tottenham contract represents the new benchmark for Ghanaian player salaries in Europe’s elite leagues.
The winger has spent the last two seasons in the United States and would have arrived at the tournament already acclimatized to the region.
Since joining Khel Now in 2025, he has crafted stories beyond scores, diving into tactics, culture, and emotion.
A young squad with talent and energy can still compete with higher-ranked opposition, particularly in a format that allows third-placed teams to reach the knockout stage.

“Our vision is to build strong national teams for the future by identifying the best Ghanaian talents wherever they may be in the world. Programmes like this are critical to strengthening our talent pipeline and creating opportunities for young players to represent Ghana at the highest level,” he stated. Alexander Djiku was a decent centre-back option for the Ghana national football team in recent years. He did make it to the preliminary squad, but wasn’t included in the final list of players. The 31-year-old currently plays for Spartak Moscow and his performances have not been up to the mark this season.

That means two players currently in camp will be cut, and in theory players currently absent could still be added before the FIFA deadline. There was nothing, not a single footballing reason that required the GFA to name 28 players, generate a week of public debate, and then quietly trim out two names the day before the friendly against Wales. The Portuguese coach revealed on Monday that the entire group only trained together for the first time on the eve of the match, with several players arriving late after completing club commitments across Europe. Ghana’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup boasts a strong core of players who played key roles during the country’s successful qualification campaign, with captain Jordan Ayew and… It shows all personal information about the players, including age, nationality, contract duration and market value. It also contains a table with average age, cumulative market value and average market value for each player position and overall.

But the squad did ‌see a return after a three-year absence for 31-year-old Baba Abdul Rahman. The former Chelsea fullback was in the 2022 World Cup squad but has featured in only one international for Ghana since. Ghana finally announced its World Cup squad late on Monday after coach Carlos Queiroz was forced to juggle last-minute injury concerns ‌before finalising his 26-man selection.

MTN FA Cup chairman Wilson Arthur says the growing commercial pressures in Ghana football have forced most GPL clubs into… Campus Cybercafe Blog provides well-researched content on education, global salary trends, net worth insights, career growth, and personal finance. Our mission is to empower students, professionals, and job seekers with reliable and actionable information. Take the time to research, attend trials, and commit fully — the next football star could be you.

The final list of players to represent the Ghana national football team at the 2026 FIFA World Cup has been unveiled. The Wales friendly on June 2 is probably Ghana’s final preparatory match before the World Cup. Virtually every major footballing nation calls up exactly the players they intend to take to the tournament for their final pre-tournament warm-up, sometimes with one or two additional cover options. They do not name 28 players, generate a week of squad controversy, and then quietly trim out two names.

The Portuguese coach said player welfare had been prioritised after many squad members arrived in camp following the conclusion of their club commitments across Europe.
Ghana find themselves in Pot 4 ahead of the 2026 World Cup draw, a position that reflects their current standing in global football.
“The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association working with all key stakeholders, has appointed Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the senior national team, the Black Stars,” the GFA stated.
Djiku’s absence is a major blow given that Mohammed Salisu is also unavailable after sustaining an ACL injury during the season.
This academy is run by Accra Hearts of Oak SC, one of Ghana’s oldest football clubs.
His diversified portfolio generates passive income beyond football salaries.
Since joining Khel Now in 2025, he has crafted stories beyond scores, diving into tactics, culture, and emotion.
Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.
Addressing the gathering, Kurt Okraku highlighted the importance of creating stronger bonds between Ghana and its emerging talents abroad.
Ghana have previously reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup in 2010 — the best performance by an African team at the time — and will be hoping to make a renewed impact in 2026.
The winger has spent the last two seasons in the United States and would have arrived at the tournament already acclimatized to the region.
The Black Stars lost only once in qualifying, sealing their fifth World Cup appearance.
Semenyo joined Manchester City in January from Bournemouth, having scored 10 Premier League goals with three assists for the Cherries in the first half of the season.
Kudus’ £150,000 weekly Tottenham contract represents the new benchmark for Ghanaian player salaries in Europe’s elite leagues.
The youth arm of Accra Great Olympics FC, nurturing young players to join the club’s senior squad.
If you’re looking for the complete list of top football academies in Ghana and their fees (2025), this detailed guide explains everything you need to know.
In contrast, Kamaldeen Sulemana endured a difficult season after securing a move to Atalanta Bergamo from Southampton.

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A young squad with talent and energy can still compete with higher-ranked opposition, particularly in a format that allows third-placed teams to reach the knockout stage. Djiku’s absence is a major blow given that Mohammed Salisu is also unavailable after sustaining an ACL injury during the season. The pair played every minute of Ghana’s matches at the 2022 World Cup and were widely expected to form the backbone of the Black Stars defence once again.

The Ghana Football Association (GFA) held a successful media engagement session on Monday, February 7, 2024, at the Lancaster Hotel in Kumasi. “It’s our duty to make the right decisions to manage fitness and mental freshness. We want players to come here excited, not exhausted.” According to Queiroz, more than half of the squad were unavailable when preparations began because they were still involved in league and cup competitions with their clubs. When the match starts, you will be able to follow Wales vs Ghana live score, standings, minute by minute updated live results and match statistics. In 2026, the four-time African winners will be looking to change that when they play Panama, England, and Croatia, the bronze medallists from the previous tournament. Mohammed Salisu also missed out after the Monaco centre ⁠back ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament in a Ligue 1 clash in January.

The public would have had the information it deserved without being strung along through a two-stage announcement that serves the administration more than it serves the supporters, the players, or the coach. To ensure full participation, organisers adopted visual communication methods during matches. In addition to the referee’s whistle, flags and visual signals were used to communicate stoppages and key decisions. An interpreter was also present throughout the event to facilitate communication among players, coaches and officials. “The Executive Council of the Ghana Football Association working with all key stakeholders, has appointed Carlos Queiroz as head coach of the senior national team, the Black Stars,” the GFA stated.

“The level of talent and professionalism we witnessed here was very encouraging.
With a strong background in content writing, he blends clarity with creativity, always aiming to bring the beautiful game closer to readers.
Many of Africa’s finest footballers, such as Michael Essien, Asamoah Gyan, and Thomas Partey, began their journeys in football academies that helped them develop their skills and discipline.
They do not name 28 players, generate a week of squad controversy, and then quietly trim out two names.
This academy focuses on creating pathways for young players to professional football locally and internationally.
Speaking after Ghana’s latest training session in Cardiff, Queiroz revealed that Djiku had already been replaced in the squad as preparations continue for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
It also contains a table with average age, cumulative market value and average market value for each player position and overall.
Carlos Queiroz, with his extensive international experience managing Portugal, Iran, Egypt, and others, may prove harder to manage internally than his predecessors.
Latest Ghana football news, including the latest updates on the Ghana Premier League, Ghana FA Cup, Ghana Super Cup, the CAF Champions League and much more.
The team with the largest stadium is Asante Kotoko with the capacity of 40528.
The squad numbers for Ghana’s 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign have been published by FIFA following coach Carlos Queiroz’s confirmation of his final 26-man squad.The Black Stars, who have…
With less than three months to the start of the tournament, Queiroz faces an immediate challenge to prepare Ghana for a demanding group campaign.

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Ghana sit well outside the world’s leading teams in the latest FIFA rankings, and seeding for the draw is decided strictly by those standings. While qualification results added some ranking points, progress has not been enough to lift Ghana closer to the top nations. Their position is a result of performance over a longer period, not just a single qualifying campaign. By announcing 28 names rather than 26, the GFA has guaranteed a second wave of controversy. On June 1, when two players are dropped, there will be new headlines, new accusations, and new questions about why those specific two were cut. The process that was supposedly designed to reduce uncertainty has instead created a fortnight of rolling debate where a single announcement on May 25 would have sufficed.

However, just as he edged closer to a return a year later, he suffered another setback that required a second operation. Ghana midfielder Daniel-Kofi Kyereh has admitted he came close to walking away from football during his prolonged recovery from injury, describing the period as one of the most difficult phases of his career. Queiroz’s comments appear to support reports that a replacement has already been drafted into the squad, with Pafos FC defender Derrick Luckassen called up to fill the vacant spot.

Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies. https://www.newsghana.com.gh/trusted-betting-sites-in-ghana-a-safe-betting-guide/ With 119 national team appearances, Jordan Ayew is Ghana’s second most capped player, trailing only his brother Andre Ayew by just one. Pot 4 status highlights the scale of the task, but does not limit Ghana’s potential.

“There is so much Ghanaian talent across the UK, and this initiative gives these young players the opportunity to connect with their roots while showcasing their abilities to the Ghana Football Association. This is only the beginning, and we believe the future is very bright,” he said. Solomon Agbasi has come up with decent performances for his club this season.

Together, with unity, discipline, and ambition, we will work to honour the expectations of a great football nation. The 73-year-old Portuguese has substantial World Cup experience having previously overseen South Africa, Portugal and Iran on the global stage. The event was also attended by British-Ghanaian rugby player and advocate, Zainab Alema. Match officials, coaches and medical personnel received briefings on the communication needs of deaf athletes before the competition commenced.

“The former Real Madrid, Manchester United, Portugal, and Iran coach will lead Ghana’s campaign at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Canada, Mexico, and the United States,” the statement added. Across those appearances, he has overseen 13 World Cup matches, recording three wins, four draws and six defeats. GFA Technical Director Prof. Mintah also expressed satisfaction with the quality displayed during the exercise. The Association’s commitment to transparency and accountability was evident throughout the session, and the media could ask questions and seek clarification on various matters. Sign up for a FREE NewsNow account and get our daily email alert of the top transfer stories.

Ghanaian defender Aaron Opoku scores unfortunate own goal in Kayserispor’s loss to Galatasaray

With a strong background in content writing, he blends clarity with creativity, always aiming to bring the beautiful game closer to readers. Another goalkeeper who has not been included in Ghana’s final squad for the FIFA World Cup 2026. The Ajax man was present in the preliminary squad, but due to competition for the position, he might not have received a call-up from Carlos Queiroz. President Kurt Okraku took the media through the events leading up to Ghana’s campaign in the Africa Cup of Nations Cote d’Ivoire 2023 and other relevant matters regarding the team’s early exit from the competition.

And yes, history often remembers moments of heartbreak,” President Simeon-Okraku said. The Deaf Rugby Team was accompanied by its coach and president, Yaw Kunadu, as well as Rugby Sports Development Officer at the National Sports Authority, Kumasi, Owusu Amuah, and interpreter Gifty Sammy. Conquerors SC Juniors emerged overall champions after winning all three of their matches. They defeated African Warriors Juniors 5-0 before overcoming Accra Majestics Juniors 19-0 in the Cup Final.

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